Back to School

      Well it is September which means several of my favorite things/ time of year/ events are coming up.  It is of course back to school time but more importantly it is FOOTBALL season.  I am a huge Texas and Alabama fan on the college side of things and I love the Bears and Cowboys in the NFL.  I also love fall fashion.  I live in Illinois so sweaters, jeans, vests, and layering items are essential.  I felt like since in general the game day apparel is probably vastly not talked about in women blogs that I would add a little football to the fashion world.  Usually every Saturday and Sunday you will find me checking in on my teams or sitting down and watching a few games.  Jeans are a staple in my closet and everyday wear during this time of year and if you are going back to school or even if you are looking for great deals this is the time of year to catch sales on jeans.  I love Lane Bryant, Old Navy, and Torrid for plus size jeans, I feel these three companies all make a great jean in several silhouettes that would flatter anyone.  I am currently loving my skinny jeans because we can still get away with wearing flip flops and sandals for just a few more weeks.  

    
     I am wearing a mock baseball tee from Old Navy, which is sold out but similar to this.  I am wearing older (my favorite) jeans from Lane Bryant. Lastly, to finish off my back to school theme I threw on a gift from my sister which is a Texas Longhorns scarf to show my love for the game.  I am considering this my laid back, cheering from the sidelines kind of outfit that could be easily paired with a pair of tall boots for a slightly more polished look or throw on a pair of tennis shoes for something more casual. 

I am lucky enough to be included in a monthly blog collective with a great group of plus size girls who all have great blogs, please go check them out here  Ahead of the Curve Bloggers...feel free to leave comments and love for everyone!!!

Peace&Love,
Valerie

#prayforpeace

Polka Dot Confessions

The fun thing about photography and when you try new things you 

don't always get the best results and even though these pictures

were kind of my idea, the angles and everything is all

wrong, in my opinion.  So, with that being said this months

blog collective is Polka Dots vs. Gingham.  I find that polka dots 

have been a true staple and showing up in trends for quite some time now.

I hate to say it even though I love a good polka dot, I am a little over it. 

 (um. who color matched that foundation? horrid.)

  

My outfit today is completely thrifted!! I know, I know, I am just as shocked as you all might be.  I love a good deal, let's clarify this right now but I never seem to find them, so this is rare.  I purchased the shirt from Fattoo for $12.00 not sure where it came from but it was a very roomy 3x.

The jeans I also purchased from Fattoo and they are the stiletto dot jeans from Torrid and I believe they are still available there in some sizes.  

I will say these jeans are super duper comfortable but a little on the short side..

Since this was a battle royale between dots and gingham, I tried to find something gingham and included the links of two items I purchased but had to return due to the fit.  I really wasn't in love with the pants

but I thought it would provide a nice work slack, check them out below.

Alwaysforme.com 

jjill.com 

The swimsuit I loved everything about it but they sent me the wrong

size and were out of stock in what I actually ordered. (double bummer)

The pants fit but it was all wrong and made me look frumpy and like my pants

were just way too short.

I am lucky enough to be included in a monthly blog collective with a great group of plus size girls who all have great blogs, please go check them out here  Ahead of the Curve Bloggers...feel free to leave comments and love for everyone!!!

Peace and Love,

Valerie XOXO

#prayforpeace

The right to "bare" arms..

         There has been many topics about what women should or should not wear.  I do follow some of the fashion "rules" so to speak but typically I wear what I feel comfortable in, disregarding any set "rules".  All of the time I hear women of all sizes say, I can't wear sleeveless my arms will show and they are big, flappy, bat winged, jiggly, etc, and I know that is a confidence/comfortability issue but if I am comfortable sleeveless then you should be okay with that.  All of that aside lets get to the fashion, it was super hard to choose but I went with this dress mainly because it is still available at Lane Bryant and I am confident that this dress would look amazing on a wide variety of shapes as well as the generous cut will allow bigger sizes to fit into a 28, in my opinion.

                          This dress makes me feel amazing, honestly, I am not sure why.  I bought it at Lane Bryant on a whim and it is very generously cut.  I normally wear a 28 and this is a 22 and I bet I could have got a 20 in this style.  It is everything I have been loving about spring/summer fashion nautical feel, navy and cream stripes, with darting in all the right places.  When I wear this dress, and I have 4 times since buying it, I feel good and that is what makes the difference.  I pair this with some gold jewelry from Lane Bryant and my favorite sandals from Target.  I have the "right to bare arms" do you?  

 Peace, Love, and Bare Arms,

Valerie xoxo

I am part of an awesome community of bloggers make sure you check them out here , and show some comment love.  This month we are all "baring" our summer stuff so check it out.  Also, make sure you like our Facebook page, follow on Instagram and Pinterest by searching Ahead of the Curve Bloggers.  Have a awesome July!!!

A Way To Save: Plus Size Budget Buys!!

 I am not a huge thrifter but I definitely love a good sale and very rarely do I buy clothing not on sale. However, in my area the thrifting and cool vintage type stores, I see other people talking about,  are non existent so I usually have to live through others and get extremely jealous at their finds especially in the vintage department.  I feel no matter where you shop online or in the stores there are many deals to be had by checking store codes, sales ads, current promotions, and asking for upcoming events.  I have also recently become a huge fan of the Cartwheel and Retail Me Not apps that have instant savings for many stores that I frequent. The best thing to do is to do some research.

This outfit that I chose to wear cost a total of $22 including shoes and jewelry which I felt was a steal.  The dress I bought at Ross in Houston, Texas for $10.00 it is a Cynthia Rowley in a 3x which is plenty roomy, almost too big.  The cardigan is an Old Navy find in their regular sizes xxl and it fits plenty big.  I bought this on clearance for $5.00 along with the cream cami for $3.00.  I bought these gold rope braided sandals (my favorite) at Target at the end of season two years ago for $4.00, they are amazing quality.  My jewelry came from Lane Bryant as a gift.

 

                                If you are looking for some great pictures in the Springfield, Illinois
                                        area please check out Kristi Mitchell Photography!!

I am lucky enough to be included in a monthly blog collective with a great group of plus size girls who all have great blogs, please go check them out here  Ahead of the Curve Bloggers...feel free to leave comments and love for everyone!!!


For the love of $avings,
Valerie xoxo

Floral Frenzy!!

Top from Lane Bryant

 The theme for this months blog collective is Garden Party or Pastels.  Neither of these two things are in the range of clothing that I wear but every since starting this blog I am really trying to broaden my horizons and step out of that comfort zone...And come to find out I really love a floral print, even though I don't have many prints I have recently started buying a few more things.. Here is a collection of what I am currently loving right now...

Add a pop of pastel with a scarf!

I am wearing a floral tank from Lane Bryant

 It never hurts to accessorize, try adding in pastels or floral prints with a bold scarf, nail, jewelry, or even a shoe this will get you used to the color if this is something that might intimidate you.

              

Accessorize with a pop of nail color!

I have noticed in my recent shopping trips that the major plus size stores that I frequent, Lane Bryant , Torrid , and Simply Be all have a wide variety of floral dresses, shirts, and accessories with a pop of pastel or floral in them.  Most of those sites plus a few others have been running great sales to get ready for summer, especially Lane Bryant, it seems like to me that their sales have been really good recently so why not save!!!

I am lucky enough to be included in a monthly blog collective with a great group of plus size girls who all have great blogs, please go check them out here Ahead of the Curve ...feel free to leave comments and love for everyone!!!









Love and Blessings,

Valerie xoxo

Radiant Chaos

      I absolutely love the color red, I especially love wearing the color red.  I am also extremely excited to talk about this outfit because we recently had a Torrid open up in the nearby mall, and I pretty much raided them around Christmas time for this look.  I have bought a few things from them online in the past but was semi reluctant just because I hate shipping things back.  This whole outfit I received for Christmas even though I picked it all out, I felt it was perfect for this topic. The dress is black with flocked velvet polka dots and I actually sized down because of the armholes, it is very roomy in my opinion.  I am wearing Torrid's size 3 in the dress and the cardigan.  As you can see it is winter here so I paired this lovely dress with a basic open cardigan from Torrid in this radiant red color.  If I am going to wear red it is definitely going to be this deep blood red because I feel it looks the best on my skin tone.   I am loving this skater dress trend, I feel like it is a shape that would look flattering on any body type.  I paired this outfit with some simple leggings from Wal-Mart in black, and my favorite black boots from Lane Bryant.  I will also note that I bought two pairs of tall boots this year from Lane Bryant and both were accommodating with extra room to my bigger calves. I know they are no longer available online but maybe some of the stores still have them.  I also made my sister do my hair in these gorgeous rosette type pin rolls just for something a little special.  I topped off my look by wearing the most amazing lip color I have found to date.  It is from NYX in the color Chaos, I bought this at Ulta for around $4.00 or less and it is so smooth.  I felt like I needed to mention this lipstick because I will be going back to get other colors, you cannot beat that price.  I will link below the items in case you want to see the different things on the models.   

                                                               Peace&Love,
                                                                   Valerie

 Flocked Polka Dot Dress
                                                                                       Drape Front Cardigan

Banner created by Elizabeth Tamny: http://www.elizabethtamny.com

 
We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we are sharing our take on “Red Hot Themes” so check them out by clicking on each link:

Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Always Red Hot

My "Red Hot" Moment

Feeling the Love in Igigi Polka Dots

Red Hot Remake: Too-Tight Dress To Peplum Top

Fearless Fashion: Channeling My Inner Lady In Red

"Red Hot" Valentine's Day Look

Rouge Blouse

Red Hot Luxe: My Top Sexy, Fabulous, Gorgeous Valentine's Day Picks for the Plus Size Princess

 Red Color Love
Nuclear Red Hot Hair 

 You can find more information about Ahead of the Curve or our past topics here, http://www.aheadofthecurvebloggers.com or our Facebook page Ahead of the Curve.

My Vintage Holiday Glam

    I have to start off by saying, I am not really a glam kind of person.  Most of the festivities that I attend during the holiday season consist of ugly sweater parties or casual gift exchanges, so glam and dressy really isn't the norm for me.  I was, however, excited to try it out even if I didn't really have the appropriate setting or place to display my outfits. This is the Smitten Lace Top in Onyx paired with an amazing vintage headband from Icing on the Cake by Betsy.  This picture does not do this headband justice it is an amazing color and so comfortable...

When I first started exploring different options in the plus size world, mainly online opposed to the local brick and mortar stores (very few and not good selection in my neck of the woods), the one name that several people recommend I try was Kiyonna.  I initially loved what they had but really didn't have a need for the type of clothes that they offer but one of the first must haves that caught my eye was the Smitten Lace Top .  I felt this was gorgeous and I just had to have it in a couple different colors.  I had been waiting and searching for awhile a possible sale or maybe end of the year clearance but that top seems to linger and stay around.  I finally found it one day on Zulily for half price and I jumped on the deal and bought the Retro Jade and Onyx. 

A couple more views of this top in the Retro Jade.  I bought this in a 4x because of the website size chart and the Retro Jade top fit perfect and possibly a tad big.  However, the onyx in the same size and brand fit a little snug, so go figure.  Overall, the quality is luxurious and I would purchase from Kiyonna again and again just for the quality alone.  But, these shirts are very flattering and can be worn with a skirt and heels to dress it up or denim and pearls for a more of a casual look.

Make sure you check out all the links below there has been a few changes and other ways to view all of the bloggers in this collective blog hop... Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!!!

             Peace&Love,
                 Valerie 

Banner created by Elizabeth Tamny: http://www.elizabethtamny.com

We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we are sharing our take on “Holiday Glitz and Glam” so check them out by clicking on each link, also visit our Facebook page here- Ahead of the Curve.

  

 Sydney's Closet Plus Size 30 Glitz

Glitz and Glam Wave Eshakti Leather 

Don't wait for the perfect occaison, wear it NOW!  

The Fat Girl Glams It Up 

Glam It Up 

Regency Style: A Jane Austen Costume Event 

Fearlessly Fashion: Holidays = Glitz and Glam FABULOUSNESS 

Holiday Looks 

Holiday Party Looks! 

You can find more information about Ahead of the Curve or our past topics HERE